Glare-free intraocular lens and method for using the same

ABSTRACT

An IOL that is free of glare and the halo effect associated with conventional IOLs and a method for using the same is provided. The IOL is adapted for implantation into an eye, in place of or in addition to the natural lens of the eye, to adjust a refractive power of an eye. The IOL includes at least one lens portion and a light-absorbing material. The lens portion has first and second surfaces and a perimeter connecting the first and second surfaces which extends entirely about the lens portion. The first and second surfaces can have any suitable shape to provide the lens portion with a suitable refractive power. The light-absorbing material is disposed to absorb light propagating in a direction towards the perimeter to thus eliminate glare and the halo effect caused by such light. One or more haptics which include a light absorbing material can be attached to the lens portion for mounting the IOL in the eye. The light absorbing material of the haptics absorbs light impinging on the haptics to further eliminate glare and the halo effect.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Related subject matter is disclosed in copending U.S. patent applicationof Gholam A. Peyman and Jeffrey E. Koziol entitled “Lens ConversionSystem for Teledioptic or Diffractive Configurations”, Ser. No.09/178,739, filed on Oct. 27, 1998, the entire contents of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a glare-free single focal or multifocalintraocular lens and method for using the same. More specifically, thepresent invention relates to an intraocular lens having one or morefocusing areas and a light-absorbing material for absorbing undesiredlight rays to minimize glare experienced by the eye of the patient inwhich the intraocular lens is implanted.

2. Description of the Related Art

An intraocular lens (IOL) is a transparent lens made of a synthetic orother suitable material for implantation into an eye in place of or inaddition to the natural lens of the eye to correct the vision of theeye. Many different types of IOLs exist for correcting various types ofvision disorders. For example, an IOL can be formed in the same shape ofa natural lens of an eye that has been damaged, and can be inserted intothat eye in place of the natural lens.

Alternatively, in an eye suffering from myopia, hyperopia orastigmatism, an IOL can be formed to have a bi-convex, bi-concave,plano-concave, plano-convex, concave-convex, or any other shape suitablewhich provides the IOL with the appropriate focusing power to correctfor the error in focusing power of the eye that is causing the visiondisorder. The suitably shaped IOL can be implanted into the eye in placeof or in addition to the natural lens to thus correct the focusing powerof the eye and eliminate the vision disorder.

Although existing IOLs are somewhat suitable for correcting visionsdisorders, they typically cause the eye to experience an undesirableside effect commonly referred to as a “halo effect”, which is a ring oflight that the person will see in the eye having the implanted IOL. Ahalo effect is caused due to light entering or being refracted by theIOL at certain angles which creates a glare that is sensed by the retinaof the eye and thus experienced by the person. Also, reflection of lightoff of haptics used for mounting the IOL in the eye can also increasethe intensity of the halo effect.

Although the severity of the halo effect can vary depending on the shapeof the IOL and the amount of direct and ambient light being received bythe eye, the halo effect can cause the patient much annoyance. Also, incertain instances, the halo effect can also adversely affect thepatient's ability to read, drive a car and perform other routineactivities requiring acute vision. The halo effect is discussed in moredetail in an article entitled “Surgeon has insider's view of the Arraymultifocal IOL,” Ocular Surgery News, pp. 6-12, Jan. 1, 1999.

To reduce the halo effect in IOLs having multiple focusing powers, thesetypes of IOLs can include a darkened material at the interface betweenthe different refractive power sections of the IOL. Examples of thesetypes of IOLs are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,326,348, 5,236,452,5,074,877, 5,019,099, 4,917,681 and 4,769,033, all to Nordan, as well asin U.S. Pat. No. 5,120,120 to Cohen.

Although these types of IOLs are somewhat suitable in reducing glarethat occurs at the interfaces between lens sections having differentrefractive powers, these types of IOLs are unsuitable for reducing thehalo effect or glare caused by light entering or exiting the perimeterof the IOL. These types of IOLs also fail to reduce reflection of lightby the haptics used for mounting in the eye.

Accordingly, a need exist for an IOL which reduces glare and the haloeffect due to light entering or exiting its perimeter as well as lightreflected off of its haptics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an IOL that is free ofglare and the halo effect associated with conventional IOLs.

Another object of the present invention is to provide IOL that issuitable for implantation in an eye in place of or in addition to thenatural lens of the eye, and which includes a light-absorbing materialfor absorbing undesirable light rays to eliminate glare and the haloeffect experienced by the eye.

A further object of the invention is to provide a IOL system comprisinga plurality of IOLs for implantation in an eye in place of or inaddition to the natural lens of the eye, with each lens having alight-absorbing material to eliminate glare and the halo effect.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an IOL having a lensportion, a mounting apparatus, such as haptics, for mounting the lensportion in an eye, and a light-absorbing material at least at theperimeter of the lens portion and included in the haptics to eliminateglare and the halo effect caused by light reflecting from the hapticsand light propagating towards the IOL at undesirable angles.

These and other objects of the present invention are substantiallyachieved by providing an intraocular lens, adapted for implantation intoan eye to adjust a refractive power of an eye, comprising a lens portionand a light-absorbing material. The lens portion has first and secondsurfaces and a perimeter connecting the first and second surfaces whichextends entirely about the lens portion. The light-absorbing material isdisposed to absorb light propagating in a direction towards theperimeter, to thus eliminate glare and the halo effect caused by suchlight. The light absorbing material can be disposed to absorbsubstantially all of the light impinging on the perimeter, and can bedisposed proximate to or at the perimeter and along substantially all orall of perimeter.

The intraocular lens can further include one of more haptics comprisinga light-absorbing material which substantially eliminates reflection oflight from the haptics, and thus reduces glare experienced by the eye.The intraocular lens can also include a third surface which extendstransversally to the first and second surfaces to define an opening inor completely through the lens portion, and a second light-absorbingmaterial which absorbs light propagating towards the third surface.

Additionally, the intraocular lens can be configured as an intraocularlens system comprising two or more intraocular lenses having the lightabsorbing material and features as described above for a singleintraocular lens. The multiple intraocular lenses can be placedproximate or against one another when implanted in the eye, or can beconfigured to interlock when implanted. Also, each of the IOLs can havedifferent refractive powers, or can include multiple refractive powers,to correct the specific vision disorder of the eye in which they arebeing implanted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects, advantages and novel features of the presentinvention will be more readily appreciated from the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, ofwhich:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an eye having an IOL according to anembodiment of the present innovation implanted therein;

FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view of the eye and implanted IOLshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the IOL implanted in the eye as shown in FIGS.1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the IOL shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front view of an IOL according to another embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the IOL shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a front view of an IOL according to a further embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the IOL shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front view of an IOL according to another embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the IOL shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is front view an IOL system including two IOLs according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an exploded side view of the IOL lens system shown in FIG.11;

FIG. 13 is a front view of an IOL lens system according to anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is an exploded side view of the IOL lens system shown in FIG.13;

FIG. 15 is a front view of a IOL system according to a furtherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is an exploded side view of the IOL system shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a front view of a piggyback IOL system including two lensesaccording to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is an exploded side view of the piggyback IOL lens system shownin FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of an eye including the piggyback IOLsystem shown in FIGS. 17 and 18;

FIG. 20 is a front cross-sectional view of the eye and implantedpiggyback lenses system shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a front view of another piggyback IOL according to a furtherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is an exploded side view of the piggyback IOL system shown inFIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of an eye including a piggyback IOLaccording to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a front cross-sectional view of the eye and implantedpiggyback IOL as shown in FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a front view of an IOL including a flexible mountingstructure according to an embodiment of a present invention;

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of an eye having the IOL shown in FIG.25 mounted therein;

FIG. 27 is a front cross-sectional view of the eye and implanted IOL asshown in FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is a front view of an IOL for mounting in the anterior chamberof an eye according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 29 is a side view of the IOL shown in FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of an eye having an IOL as shown inFIGS. 28 and 29 mounted therein;

FIG. 31 is a front cross-sectional view of the eye and IOL as shown inFIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is a front view of an IOL having a claw-type attachmentstructure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 33 is a side view of the IOL shown in FIG. 32;

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of an eye implanted with an IOL asshown in FIGS. 32 and 33;

FIG. 35 is a front cross-sectional view of the eye and implanted IOL asshown in FIG. 34;

FIG. 36 is a front view of an IOL having another claw-type mountingstructure according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 37 is a side view of the IOL shown in FIG. 36;

FIG. 38 is a detail view of the claw portions of the IOL shown in FIG.36;

FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view of an eye having the IOL shown inFIGS. 36 and 37 mounted therein; and

FIG. 40 is a front cross-sectional view of the eye an implanted IOL asshown in FIG. 38.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An IOL according to an embodiment of the present invention as shown inFIGS. 1-4. Specifically, FIG. 1 shows a normal eye 100, which includes acornea 102, an iris 104, a retina 106 and a ciliary sulcus 108. Asfurther illustrated, an IOL 110 has been implanted in the eye 100 inplace of the natural lens to correct for a vision disorder in the eye100, such as myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism or the like.

As shown in more detail in FIGS. 3 and 4, the IOL 110 comprises a lensportion 112 including a first surface 114, a second surface 116 and aperimeter 118 connecting the first and second surfaces. The lens portion112 can be made of a synthetic material such as silicone,polymethylmethacrylate, hydrogel, polysulfone, glass, or any othersuitable material, and can have an outer diameter of, for example, about1 mm to about 12 mm, or any other suitable diameter. Furthermore, thefirst surface 114, second surface 116, or both, can be concave, convex,planar, or have any other suitable shape or types of shapes forreplacing the natural lens of the eye and, if necessary, for correctingthe vision disorder of the eye 100 as appropriate.

The IOL further comprises haptics 120, which can be made of surgicalsteel or any other suitable non-biodegradable material. In this example,the haptics 120 attach to the ciliary sulcus 108 to mount the IOL 110 inthe eye 100. As further illustrated, the IOL 110 includes a lightabsorbing material 122 which can be, for example, a dark pigmentmaterial mixed with plastic or silicone, or any other suitable material.In this example, the light-absorbing material 120 is a coating that isapplied to the perimeter 118 of the lens portion 114 and can have athickness of, for example, about 1 μm to 2,000 μm. The haptics 120 canalso be coated with the light-absorbing material, or can be made toinclude the light-absorbing material or can be impregnated with thelight absorbing material.

The light-absorbing material 120 can surround all or substantially allof the perimeter 118 of the lens portion 112, and can have any suitablewidth in relation to the width of the perimeter and the thickness of thelens portion 112. Furthermore, the light-absorbing material 120 need notbe coated on the outside of the perimeter 118, but rather, can beimpregnated into the perimeter 118, or impregnated into lens portion 112along the perimeter 118 at a desired distance from the perimeter 118.

As light rays 124 enter the cornea 102 of the eye 100 as shown, forexample, in FIG. 1, the cornea 102 and IOL 110 focus the light rays onto the retina 106 to create an image that is perceived by the eye.However, the light-absorbing material 120 of the lens portion 112absorbs any light propagating toward the perimeter 118 in a directioninto the lens portion 112, as well as any light being diffracted in thelens portion 112 toward perimeter 118. The light-absorbing material ofthe haptics 120 also prevents any or substantially any light impingingon the haptics 120 from being reflected by the haptics 120.

Accordingly, any glare that would be created by light reflected by thehaptics 120, or by light leaving or entering the perimeter 118 of thelens portion 112, is absorbed and therefore not sensed by the retina106. Therefore, the eye 100 does not perceive any type of glare andthus, does not suffer from the glare or halo effect associated withconventional IOLs discussed in the Background section above.

Another embodiment of an IOL according to the present invention is shownin FIGS. 5 and 6. In this embodiment, IOL 126 is similar in all respectsto IOL 110 discussed above. That is, IOL 126 includes a lens portion 128having a first surface 130, a second surface 132 and a perimeter 134.The IOL 126 also includes haptics 136 and a light-absorbing material 138that is disposed at, in or about the perimeter 134 in a manner similarto light absorbing material 122 discussed above with regard to IOL 110.

IOL 126 further includes a plurality of positioning holes 140 and 142into which an instrument can be inserted to hold and adjust the positionof the IOL 126 as it is being mounted in the eye. In this example,positioning holes 140 and 142 each pass entirely through lens portion128 from first surface 130 to second surface 132. However, thepositioning holes need not pass entirely through the lens portion 128,but rather, could merely be indentations in the first surface 130, thesecond surface 132, or both. Also, although only two positioning holesare shown, the lens portion 128 can include any suitable number ofpositioning holes.

As further illustrated, the positioning holes are defined by surfaces144 and 146. In this example, the surfaces 144 and 146 are coated withthe light-absorbing material 138 as shown, having any thickness withinthe range of thickness described above. However, the light-absorbingmaterial 138 need not be present as coating surfaces 144 and 146, butrather could be impregnated into the surfaces 144 and 146, or can beimpregnated in the lens portion 128 along surfaces 144 and 146.

As discussed above with regard to IOL 110, the light-absorbing material138 at, in or along perimeter 134 absorbs light rays propagating in adirection toward perimeter 134 from outside the lens portion 128, aswell as scattered light rays propagating toward the perimeter 134 frominside the lens 128. Also, the light-absorbing material at, in or alongsurfaces 144 and 146 absorbs light applied in a similar manner.Furthermore, the light-absorbing material of the haptics 136 alsoprevents light impinging on the haptics 136 from being reflected.

The IOL 126 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 can be implanted in an eye 100 in amanner similar to that in which IOL 110 is implanted as shown, forexample, in FIGS. 1 and 2. IOL 126 will therefore eliminate glare andthe halo effect due to the presence of light-absorbing material 138 atthe perimeter 134, at the haptics 136, and at the positioning holes 140and 142.

An IOL according to another embodiment of the present invention caninclude regions having different refractive powers so as to act as, forexample, as a multi-focal lens, such as a bi-focal lens. As shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, an intraocular lens 148 according to this embodimentincludes a lens portion 150 having a first surface 152, a second surface154 and a perimeter 156 connecting the first and second surfaces. Thelens portion 150 is generally similar in all respects to the lensportions described above, and can be mounted into eye 100 in a mannersimilar to the IOLs described above. The IOL 148 also includes haptics158 similar to those described above for IOL 110.

However, unlike the IOLs described above, first surface 152, secondsurface 154, or both, include first and second refractive portionshaving first and second respective refractive powers. For exemplarypurposes, the first surface 152 is shown as having a first refractiveportion 160 and a second refractive portion 162. Similar to IOL 110discussed above, a light-absorbing material 164 is disposed on or at theperimeter 156 of IOL 148. This light-absorbing 164 can be similar tolight-absorbing material 122 described above, and can be applied as alayer onto perimeter 156, impregnated into perimeter 156, orimpregnating into lens portion 150 along perimeter 156 at a distancefrom perimeter 156.

In addition, the light-absorbing material 164 is disposed at theinterface between first refractive portion 160 and second refractiveportion 162 as illustrated. In this example, the light-absorbingmaterial 164 can be applied to the first surface at the interfacebetween first refractive portion 160 and second refractive portion 162,or can be impregnated into lens portion 156 at that interface.Accordingly, the light-absorbing material 164 at the perimeter 156absorbs light propagating toward the perimeter 156, as well as lightscattered in the lens portion 150 towards the perimeter 156. Thelight-absorbing material on the haptics 160 absorbs light impinging onthe haptics so that the haptics 160 do not reflect that light.Accordingly, the light-absorbing material 164 prevents the eye intowhich IOL 148 is mounted from experiencing glare and the halo effect dueto the presence of the IOL 148.

As stated above, an intraocular lens can include more than two portionshaving different refractive powers. For example, as shown in theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, IOL 166 is generally similarin size, shape and construction to the IOLs discussed above, and can beimplanted into eye 100 in a manner similar to IOL 110 discussed above.That is, IOL 166 includes a lens portion 167 having a first surface 168,a second surface 170, and a perimeter 172 connecting first surface 168to second surface 170. IOL 166 also includes haptics 174, and alight-absorbing material 176 disposed on, in or proximate to perimeter172 in a manner similar to that described above with regard to IOL 110.

However, unlike the IOLs discussed above, IOL 166 includes multipleregions having different refractive powers. In this example, firstsurface 168 includes first, second, third, forth, and fifth refractiveregions 178, 180, 182, 184, and 186, respectively, each having differentrespective shapes and thus different refractive powers. As in IOL 148shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, light-absorbing material 176 is present at eachof the interfaces between adjacent refractive regions 178-186. Thelight-absorbing material 176 can be applied as a layer to first surface168 at the refractive regions, or can impregnated into the lens portion167.

Each of the IOLs discussed above include a single lens portion. However,the IOLs can be configured as lens systems having multiple lensportions. For example, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, IOL system 188includes a first lens portion 190 similar in size, shape andconstruction to the lens portion of any IOL discussed above. That is,first lens portion 190 has a first surface 192, a second surface 194 andperimeter 196 similar to the IOLs discussed above. In this example, thefirst surface 192 and second surface 194 can be shaped for far or nearrefractive power. IOL system 188 also includes haptics 198 which aresimilar to haptics 120 described above, and are connected to first lensportion 190.

Additionally, as with the IOLs described above, a light-absorbingmaterial 200 is disposed on, in, or proximate to perimeter 196 of thefirst lens portion 190. However, unlike the IOLs discussed above, firstlens portion 190 also includes a third surface 202 forming an opening204 in the first lens portion 190. The third surface 202 can passentirely through first lens portion 190 so that opening 204 passesentirely through first lens portion 190. Alternatively, third surface202 can form a recess in first surface 192, second surface 194, or both,so that opening 204 is shaped as recess as in either or both first andsecond surfaces 192 and 194. The diameter of opening 204 can be, forexample, 0.50 mm through 3.00 mm, or any other suitable diameter. Also,light-absorbing material 200 is applied on, in, or proximate surface 202to absorb light in a manner similar to the light-absorbing materialsdescribed above.

As further shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, IOL 188 includes a second lensportion 206 having a first surface 208, a second surface 210 and aperimeter 212 connecting first and second surfaces 208 and 210respectively. The second lens portion 206 has an outer diameter whichenables it to fit within opening 204 in the first lens potion 190. Thatis, the second lens portion 206 can fit entirely into the opening 204,or alternatively, can be shaped so that only a portion of it fits inopening 204. The second lens portion 206 can interlockingly couple withthe third surface 202. Alternatively, the perimeter 212 can have threadswhich engage with threads in the third surface 202 so that the secondlens portion 206 screws into opening 204. The second lens portion 206can also be held in the opening 204 by an adhesive, or in any othersuitable manner. Further, light-absorbing material 200 can be appliedon, in or proximate to the perimeter 212 of the second lens portion 206in a manner similar to the light absorbing materials described above.Accordingly, the light-absorbing material 200 of first lens portion 190and second lens portion 206 functions as the light-absorbing materialsdescribed above to absorb unwanted light, and thus eliminate glare andthe halo effect in an eye into which IOL system 188 is implanted.

Although the second lens portion 206 is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 asbeing circular or substantially circular, the second lens portion 206can have any suitable shape. For example, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14,IOL system 214 includes a first lens portion 216 having a first surface218, a second surface 220 and a perimeter 222 similar to the first andsecond surface and perimeter of first lens portion 190. IOL 214 alsoincludes haptics 224 coupled to first lens portion 216. Alight-absorbing material 226 is applied on, in or proximate to theperimeter 222 of first lens portion 216.

First lens portion 216 also includes a third surface 228 forming aopening 230 which, in this example, passes entirely through the firstlens portion 216. However, the first surface 228 is shaped to form astepped surface 232 as shown. The second lens portion 234 of IOL system214 has a first surface 236 and a second stepped surface 238, as well asa perimeter 240 which connects the first surface 236 and the secondsurface 238. Accordingly, the second stepped surface 238 can engage withthe stepped surface 232 of first lens portion 216 when the second lensportion 234 is inserted into opening 230. The second lens portion 234could alternatively be screwed into the opening 230 or held in theopening 230 by an adhesive in a manner similar to second lens portion206 described above.

Also, like second lens portion 206 described above, second lens portion234 includes light-absorbing material 226 which is applied on, in orproximate to its perimeter 240 and perimeter of stepped surface 238 asshown. Accordingly, the light-absorbing material 226 functions in amanner similar to the light-absorbing materials described above toabsorb unwanted light and thus eliminate glare and the halo effectexperienced by an eye into which the IOL system 214 is implanted.

In addition, although the first lens portion 190 of the IOL 188 shown inFIGS. 11 and 12 has a refractive power, the lens portion can be formedto have no refractive power as shown, for example, in FIGS. 15 and 16.Specifically, IOL system 242 includes a first lens portion 244 similarin overall size and construction to first lens portion 190 describedabove. First lens portion 244 includes a first surface 246, a secondsurface 248 and perimeter 250 connecting first surface 246 and secondsurface 248. However, unlike the first and second surfaces of first lensportion 190 described above, first surface 246 and second surface 248are each planar or substantially planar and do not have any orsubstantially any refractive power.

As in the IOLs described above, haptics 252 are attached to first lensportion 244 for mounting the IOL into an eye in a manner similar to thatfor the IOLs described above. Furthermore, a light-absorbing material254 similar to those described above is disposed on, in or proximate tothe perimeter 250 of first lens portion 244.

First lens portion 244 also includes a third surface 256 forming anopening 258 that passes into or entirely through first portion 244. Inother words, as with first lens portion 190 described above, thirdsurface 256 can connect first surface 246 to second surface 248.Additionally, light-absorbing material 254 is applied to first surface256 for reasons similar to those described above.

The IOL system 242 further includes a second lens portion 260 which isgenerally similar in overall size and shape to second lens portion 206described above. The second lens portion 260 can be shaped to have arefractive power of, for example, about plus 1 to about plus 3 diopters,or about minus 1 to about minus 3 diopters, or any other suitable power.Thus, the second lens portion 260 can be used to correct near or farvision and thus make the lens system 242 into a bifocal type lenssystem.

As shown, second lens portion 260 has a first surface 262, a secondsurface 264 and a perimeter 266 connecting the first surface 262 to thesecond surface 264. As described above, the first and second surfacescan be shaped appropriately to provide the second lens portion 260 withthe appropriate amount of plus or minus dioptic power. The second lensportion 260 can be mounted into opening 258 in a manner similar tosecond lens portions 206 and 234 described above. Furthermore,light-absorbing material 254 can be applied on, in or proximate toperimeter 266 to absorb unwanted light as described above. Accordingly,the light-absorbing material 252 applied to the perimeters of first lensportion 244 and second lens portion 260, as well as the light-absorbingof haptic 252, absorb unwanted light to eliminate glare and the haloeffect experienced by an eye into which intraocular lens system 242 isimplanted.

The IOL system also can be configured as a piggyback lens system as willnow be described. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, an IOLsystem 268 can include a first lens portion 270 having a first surface272, a second surface 274 and perimeter 276 similar to, for example,lens portion 112 described above. Also, lens system 268 can includehaptics 278 that are attached to first lens portion 270 to mount thelens system 268 in an eye in a manner similar to that for IOL 110.Additionally, a light absorbing material 280 similar to those describedabove is disposed on, in or proximate to the perimeter 276 of first lensportion 270 to absorb unwanted light in a manner similar to thatdescribed above.

Lens 268 further can include a piggyback lens 282 which can be mountedto first lens portion 270. Specifically, piggyback lens 282 can have arefractive power which is, for example, different than that of firstlens portion 278, and includes a first surface 284, a second surface 286and perimeter 288. The first and second surfaces 284 and 286 can beconcave, convex, planar, or any other suitable shape. Also,light-absorbing material 280 can be applied on, in or proximate toperimeter 288 to absorb unwanted light in a manner describe above.

The second lens portion 282 can be piggybacked onto first lens portion270 by attaching second surface 286 of piggyback lens portion 282 tofirst surface 272 of first lens portion 270 as shown. An adhesive can beused to attach the piggyback lens 282 to first lens portion 270. Furtherdetails of different types of piggyback lens systems are exemplified inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/178,739 referenced above, and it isnoted that the types of light absorbing materials described above can beapplied on, in or proximate to the perimeters and refractive interfacesof the lenses described in this referenced patent application toeliminate glare and the halo effect experienced by eyes into which thosetypes of lenses are implanted.

Once the first lens portion 270 and piggyback lens portion 288 arecoupled together, the lens system 268 can be implanted into an eye 290by attaching haptics 278 to the ciliary sulcus 292 of the eye 290 asshown in FIGS. 19 and 20. Accordingly, the light-absorbing material onthe perimeters of first lens portion 270 and piggyback lens portion 280,as well as the light-absorbing material of haptics 278, absorb unwantedlight and thus eliminate glare and the halo effect experienced by eye290.

As described above, piggyback 282 can be mounted to first lens portion278 by, for example, an adhesive. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 21and 22, piggyback lens system 293 can be configured so that thepiggyback lens interlocks with the first lens portion. Specifically, thefirst lens portion 294 can include a first surface 296, a second surface298 and a perimeter 300 connecting the first and second surfaces.Haptics 302 can be attached to the first lens portion 290 for mountingthe lens system 293 into an eye in a manner similar to that describedabove. Also, the light-absorbing material 304 similar to those describedabove can be disposed on, in or proximate to the perimeter 300 to absorbunwanted light in the manner described above.

Furthermore, first lens portion 294 can include a recessed portion 306in first surface 296. The light-absorbing material 304 can be applied tothis recessed portion 306 about the perimeter of the surface forming therecess portion as shown. As further illustrated, second lens portion 308includes a first surface 310, a second surface 312 and perimeter 314.The first and second surfaces 310 and 312 can have any suitable shape toprovide the second lens portion 308 with any suitable refractive power.Light-absorbing material 304 can be applied on, in or proximate toperimeter 314 in a manner similar to that described above.

Second lens portion 308 can therefore function as a piggyback lens tointerlock with first lens portion 294 and recess portion 306. Oncepiggyback lens portion 308 is attached to first lens portion 294, theIOL system can be implanted into an eye in a manner similar to IOLsystem 268 as shown, in example, in FIGS. 19 and 20.

Furthermore, it is noted that any of the IOLs and IOL systems describedabove need not include haptics, but rather can be mounted directly tothe natural lens of the eye, and therefore act as a piggyback lens forthe natural lens of the eye. For example, FIGS. 23 and 24 show an eye316 having a cornea 318, an iris 320, a lens 322 held in the eye 316 bythe ciliary sulcus 324 and zonular ligament, and a retina 328. In thisexample, the second lens portion 308 of IOL system 282 (see FIGS. 17 and18) is mounted directly to the front surface of the lens 322 by anadhesive or any other suitable method. Also, the first or second lensportions of any of the IOLs described above can be mounted to the frontsurface of lens 322 in this manner. Alternatively, the haptics attachedto the lenses of those lens systems can be attached to, for example theciliary sulcus 324 to mount the lens or lens systems onto the frontsurface of the lens 322. Different examples of piggyback configurationscan be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/178,739 referencedabove.

Furthermore, any of the IOLs or IOL systems described above can includedifferent types of mounting arrangements to mount into the posterior oranterior chamber of an eye. For example, as shown in FIGS. 25-27, theIOL can be configured as IOL 330 having a lens portion 332 and a lensmounting portion 334. As in the IOLs and IOL systems described above,lens portion 332 includes a first surface 334, a second surface 336 anda perimeter 338 connecting the first and second surfaces 334 and 336,respectively. The first and second surfaces 334 and 336 can have anysuitable shape to provide the lens portion 334 with any suitablerefractive power.

Lens mounting portion 334 includes an opening 340 into which the lensportion 332 is mounted by, for example, an adhesive, an interlockingarrangement, or in any other suitable manner. Lens mounting portion 334can be made of a flexible material, such as silicon or any othersuitable polymer, and can include a light absorbing material similar tothose described above. Additionally, a light absorbing material 342similar to those described above can be disposed on, in or proximate tothe perimeter 338 of lens portion 332 to absorb unwanted light in amanner similar to the dark materials described above. As shown in FIGS.26 and 27, the IOL 330 can be mounted into an eye 344 in place of thenatural lens of the eye. In this example, the outer ends of lensmounting portion 334 fit against the ciliary sulcus 346 of the eye 344to mount the IOL 340 in the posterior chamber of the eye 344.

Alternatively, the IOL can be configured as a lens which is mounted inthe anterior chamber of an eye. For example, as shown in FIGS. 28-31,IOL 350 includes a lens portion 352 which is generally similar inoverall size and shape to those described above and has a first surface354, a second 356 and perimeter connecting the first surface 354 to thesecond surface 356. The first and second surfaces 354 and 356 can haveany suitable shape to provide the lens portion 352 with any suitablerefractive power. A light absorbing material 360 similar to the lightabsorbing materials describe above can be disposed on, in or proximateto the perimeter 358 of the lens portion 352.

As further shown, the lens portion 352 is mounted to a hapticarrangement 362 that includes or is made of a light absorbing material.The haptic arrangement 362 is suitable for mounting the IOL 350 into theinterior chamber of an eye as shown, for example, in FIGS. 30 and 31.Specifically, the ends of haptic arrangement 362 can contact the innersurface of the eye 364 in front of the iris 365 which forms the anteriorchamber 366 of the eye. In this event, the IOL 350 can be inserted inaddition to the natural lens 368 of the eye 364, or in place of thenatural 368 if the natural lens 368 has been removed. Also, as describedabove, the light-absorbing material of the lens portion 352 and thehaptic arrangement 362 absorbs unwanted light to therefore eliminateglare and the halo effect by the eye 364.

An IOL can also include a claw-type arrangement for mounting in theinterior chamber of an eye. For example, as shown in FIGS. 32-35, IOL370 includes a lens portion 372, which is generally similar in overallsize and shape to the lens portions described above and includes a firstsurface 374, a second surface 376, and a perimeter 378 connecting thefirst surface 374 to the second surface 376. A light-absorbing material380 similar to those described above can be disposed on, in or proximateto the perimeter 378 of the lens portion 372.

As further illustrated the IOL 370 include a lens mounting portion 382having an opening 384 therein into which the lens portion 372 is mountedand secured by, for example, and adhesive, an interlocking arrangementor in any other suitable manner. The lens mounting portion 384 is madeof a flexible material and includes a light-absorbing material similarto those described above.

As further illustrated, lens mounting portion 382 includes claw portions386 and 388 which are adapted to attach to, for example, the iris of aneye to mount the IOL 370 in the interior chamber of an eye. The clawportions 386 and 388 define respective openings 390 and 392 as shown.The surfaces of the claw portions 386 and 388 defining these openings390 and 392 are also coated with a light absorbing material 380 of thetypes described above.

Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 32 and 33, the IOL 370 can be mounted inan eye 394 so that the claw portions 386 and 388 of lens mountingportion 382 attach to, for example, the iris 396 of the eye 394 toposition the IOL 370 in the interior chamber 398 of the eye 394 as canbe appreciated by one skilled in the art. The IOL 370 can be implantedin addition to the natural lens 400 of the eye 394, or in place of thenatural lens 400 if the natural lens 400 has been removed. As in theIOLs and IOL systems described above, the light-absorbing material ofthe lens portion 372 and lens mounting portion 382 absorbs unwantedlight eliminate glare and the halo effect perceived by the eye 394.

Another arrangement of the of an IOL for mounting the interior chamberof the eye is shown in FIGS. 36-39. As illustrated, IOL 402 includesinclude a lens portion 404 which, like the lens portions describe above,includes a first surface 406, a second surface 408 and a perimeter 410.The first and second 406 and 408 can have any suitable shape to providethe lens portion 404 with any suitable refractive power. Also, alight-absorbing material 412 similar to those described above isdisposed on, in or proximate to the perimeter 410 to absorb unwantedlight in the manner similar to that described above.

The IOL 402 further includes a lens mounting portion 414 comprisingconnecting arms 416 and 417. The lens mounting portion 414 and itsconnecting arms 416 and 417 are made of a flexible material, and includea light absorbing material similar to the those described above.

As shown in FIG. 38, each connecting arm 416 and 417 has a claw-portion418, which has a forcep-like shape and includes arms 419 and 420. Inthis example, arm 419 includes a male portion 421, and arm 420 includesa female portion 422, such as an opening.

As shown in FIGS. 39 and 40, the connecting arms 416 and 417 of the lensmounting portion can attach to, for example, the inner portion of an eye424 in front of the iris 426 which forms the anterior chamber 428 of theeye 424 as can be appreciated by one skilled in the art. Specifically,male portion 421 engages with female portion 422 to grip a portion ofthe inner portion of the eye 424 between arms 419 and 420. Accordingly,the IOL 402 can be implanted in the eye 424 in addition to the naturallens 430 of the eye 424, or in place of the natural lens 430 if thenatural lens 430 has been removed. Also, the light-absorbing material ofthe lens portion 404 and lens mounting portion 414 absorbs unwantedlight to eliminate glare and the halo effect experienced by eye 424.

Although few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been describedin detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate thatmany modifications a possible in the exemplary embodiments withoutmaterially departing from the novel teaching and advantages of thisinvention. Accordingly, all sorts of modifications are intended to beincluded within the scope of this invention at defining the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An intraocular lens system, adapted forimplantation into an eye to adjust a refractive power of an eye,comprising: a lens portion having firsts second, and third surfaces anda perimeter connecting said first and second surfaces and extendingentirely about said lens portion, said third surface extendingtransversely to said first and second surfaces to define an opening insaid lens portion; a first light absorbing material, disposed to absorblight propagating in a direction toward said perimeter; and a secondlight absorbing material disposed along at least a portion of said thirdsurface, adapted to absorb light propagating toward said third surface.2. An intraocular lens as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said first lightabsorbing material absorbs substantially all of said light impinging onsaid perimeter.
 3. An intraocular lens as claimed in claim 1, wherein:said first light absorbing material is disposed in said lens portionproximate to said perimeter.
 4. An intraocular lens as claimed in claim1, wherein: said first light absorbing material is disposed along atleast a portion of said perimeter.
 5. An intraocular lens as claimed inclaim 4, wherein: said first light absorbing material is disposed alongsubstantially all of said perimeter.
 6. An intraocular lens as claimedin claim 1, wherein: said first light absorbing material is disposed toprevent light from entering said lens portion through said perimeter. 7.An intraocular lens as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said first lightabsorbing material includes a pigment material.
 8. An intraocular lensas claimed in claim 1, wherein: said lens includes at least one haptic,adapted to attach to a portion of the eye when said lens is implanted inthe eye, said at least one haptic including a light absorbing material.9. An intraocular lens as claimed in claim 8, wherein: said at least onehaptic includes a claw portion, adapted to attach to an inner portion ofthe eye.
 10. An intraocular lens as claimed in claim 1, wherein: saidsecond surface is adapted to contact a surface of one of a natural orartificial lens in the eye when implanted in the eye.
 11. An intraocularlens as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said third surface connects saidfirst and second surfaces to define said opening entirely through saidlens.
 12. An intraocular lens as claimed in claim 1, wherein: saidsecond light absorbing material is disposed along substantially all ofsaid third surface.
 13. An intraocular lens as claimed in claim 1,wherein: said second light absorbing material is disposed to preventlight propagating toward said third surface to enter said lens portionthrough said third surface.
 14. An intraocular lens as claimed in claim1, wherein: said lens portion further includes first and secondrefractive portions having first and second refractive powers,respectively, and a third light absorbing material adapted to absorblight propagating along a direction intersecting said first and secondportions.
 15. An intraocular lens as claimed in claim 14, wherein: saidthird light absorbing material is adapted to substantially prevent lightfrom passing between said first and second refractive portions.
 16. Anintraocular lens system, adapted for implantation into an eye to adjusta refractive power of an eye, comprising: a first lens having first andsecond surfaces and a first perimeter connecting said first and secondsurfaces and extending entirely about said first lens, and a first lightabsorbing material, disposed to absorb light propagating in a directiontoward said first perimeter; and a second lens having third and fourthsurfaces and a second perimeter connecting said third and fourthsurfaces and extending entirely about said second lens portion, and asecond light absorbing material, disposed to absorb light propagating ina direction toward said second perimeter.
 17. An intraocular lens systemas claimed in claim 16, wherein: said third surface is adapted to facesaid first surface of said first lens when said lens system is implantedinto the eye.
 18. An intraocular lens system as claimed in claim 16,wherein said first lens further comprises: a fifth surface, extendingtransversely to said first and second surfaces to define a first openingin said first lens; and a third light absorbing material, adapted toabsorb light propagating toward said fifth surface.
 19. An intraocularlens system as claimed in claim 18, wherein: said first opening in saidfirst lens is adapted to receive at least a portion of said second lens.20. An intraocular lens system as claimed in claim 18, wherein: saidsecond lens is adapted to interlockingly couple to said first lens atsaid first opening.
 21. An intraocular lens system as claimed in claim18, wherein: said fifth surface connects said first and second surfacesto define said first opening entirely through said first lens.
 22. Anintraocular lens system as claimed in claim 18, wherein said second lensfurther comprises: a sixth surface, extending transversely to said thirdand fourth surfaces to define a second opening in said second lens; anda fourth light absorbing material, adapted to absorb light propagatingtoward said sixth surface.
 23. An intraocular lens system as claimed inclaim 22, wherein: said sixth surface connects said third and fourthsurfaces to define said second opening entirely through said secondlens.
 24. An intraocular lens system as claimed in claim 16, wherein: atleast one of said first and second lenses includes at least one haptic,said at least one haptic including a light absorbing material.
 25. Amethod for using an intraocular lens system to adjust a refractive powerof an eye, the intraocular lens system comprising a first lens havingfirst and second surfaces, a first perimeter connecting said first andsecond surfaces and extending entirely about said first lens, and afirst light absorbing material, disposed to absorb light propagating ina direction toward said first perimeter, and a second lens having thirdand fourth surfaces and a second perimeter connecting said third andfourth surfaces and extending entirely about said second lens, and asecond light absorbing material, disposed to absorb light propagating ina direction toward said second perimeter, the method comprising thesteps of: inserting said first and second lenses of said intraocularlens system into said eye; and positioning said intraocular lens systemsuch that light entering said eye passes through said first and secondlenses of said intraocular lens system prior to impinging on the retinaof said eye.
 26. A method as claimed in claim 25, wherein: saidpositioning step positions said intraocular lens system in said eye inrelation to the natural lens of said eye.
 27. A method as claimed inclaim 25, wherein: said positioning step positions said intraocular lenssystem in said eye in place of the natural lens of said eye.
 28. Amethod as claimed in claim 25, wherein: said intraocular lens systemincludes at least one haptic including a light absorbing material; andsaid positioning step includes the step of securing said at least onehaptic to said eye.